A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FROM FAILURE—SUCCESS. 83 “But your vassals! How many vassals have you?” “Two.” “Two!” “Who would have loved you asa hundred. And se would my poor Rustaud.” “Who is Rustaud?” “Rustaud,” stammered the chevalier, overwhelmed with shame—“ Rustaud is my kennels.” “ But then, chevalier, you have deceived me!” The accent was severe, but if De Puycadére had dared to look in her face, he would have found that its expression told another tale. “Yes,” he answered, desperately, “yes, as I have others, but you had not told me then that I might hope for your love. Now, I can no longer lie, and I tell you all.” “Perhaps even what you have told me to-night is not true,” she said, in a much gentler tone. “Never!” he cried, passionately. “Never! See! Here is your handkerchief which I have worn next my heart since the moment I first met you! Yes, Iam poor, an adventurer! But loved by you, you shall see of what Iam capable! My love will accomplish mira- cles! And if, perchance, you should desire for your golden head a crown made of stars, I would fly to the skies to gather for you the most brilliant!” Mademoiselle de Vrissac laughed—a silvery, happy laugh. “You incorrigible Gascon!” she exclaimed. And then with one of those sudden changes of mood and manner which were so natural to her, and which set upon her with peculiar charm, she added, almost caressingly: “Think no more of your poverty. One who asks (©) GEComichbooks